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Gay Youth Take on County Council

David Henry - The Queer Youth Alliance | 12.11.2003 14:57 | Education | Social Struggles

Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Trans young people in Kent and accross the country are converging in Maidstone in anger at the County Council's congoing homophobic policies - in particular, iot's own replacement of SAection 28 which prevents homosexuality 'being promoted'.

LGBT Youth Converge on Maidstone
LGBT Youth Converge on Maidstone


The Queer Youth Alliance today launches its campaign to fight against
Kent County Council's decision to implement policy to keep Section 28
locally which applies to 600 of it’s schools.

Kent's decision to hang onto this disgusting piece of legislation is a
travesty for all of Kent's young people, gay and straight, and will
only help to bring up another generation who think that homophobia is
OK. It will not help young gay men and women who are struggling with
their sexuality, just as Section 28 didn't help us before it's repeal.
This comes on the eve of the original Section 28 being finally
repealed with effect from 18 November 2003 by Section 122 of the Local
Government Act.

We feel that if Kent gets away with this move, other councils could
try and follow suit. As such, QYA is announcing it's day of action on
Saturday 15th November in Maidstone. We will be assembling outside
Kent County Council Offices at 12:00 noon on Saturday 15th. Activities
organised by young people from all over the country will include a
public rally, street theatre, a silent vigil and petitioning in
protest of the county council’s blatantly bigoted actions.

We have support from a number of other sources, including University
of Kent, Maidstone Youth Association, OutRage and NUS LGB.

For more information about the campaign, please visit
 http://www.queeryouth.org.uk, email  alex@queeryouth.org.uk or phone
Alex (in York) on 07763 341 406 or David (in Manchester) on 07788 712
755.

Photos of the day of action will be taken; journalists and
photographers are very welcome. Archive photos available on our
website or on request of previous QYA actions and events.

David Henry - The Queer Youth Alliance
- e-mail: info@queeryouth.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.queeryouth.org.uk

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Bash the local anti-gay Tory MP's etc. Too!

12.11.2003 15:29



Dont forget Kent is full of homophobic MP's. Roger Gale in Thanet was quoted in
freepaper Kent on Sunday as being in support of KCC.
Julian Brazier (Canterbury) is virulently anti- gay.
Anne Widdecombe (Maidstone) is also anti.

Dont forget their new leader the ghastly Michael Howard, (Folkestone) who introduced
the original Section 28,& has never apologised. He has also recently opposed the
new workplace anti-discrimination laws for LGBT persons.

P.s. the vicar of St Lukes Church in Maidstone also supported KCC on this.

Let's make this the biggest poss demo.

GL


Scrap section 28 demo in Maidstone

12.11.2003 19:46

With regards to Tory MPs who are homophobic and this fantastic deo that's been organised for this saturday....

As satted, Kent is a Tory seat, both locally and on anatonal level.

The MPs who voted AGAINST the repeal of Section 28 are:
Michael Howard (Cons, Folkestone) (and leader of the Tory party!)
Ann Widdecombe (Cons, Maidstone)
Julian Brazier (Cons, Canterbury)
Roger Gale (Cons, North Thanet)
Hugh Roberston (Cons, Faversham and mid kent)

There will be much heckling of them on Saturday I'm sure ;-)

ALSO, is Michael Howard going to become the fastest Tory leader to face a gay demonstration against him? They've all faced a couple, but surely none so quickly into their term? Full marks to the group that organised this demo - I am sure it will pin their cause to Howard and the media just nicely.

MA


Way to go!!!

13.11.2003 00:17

It's fantasrtic to see The Queer Youth Alliance making a stand where other's have brushed this issue under the carpet. I'm assuming this event is toally run by youth which makes me proud as a mother of a gay daughter and gives me hope that the younger generation know how to fight for their rights.

spread the word and let's support our children!

angela
mail e-mail: angieboo@ntlworld.com


Howard local info

13.11.2003 17:21




Michael Howard's next constituancy meeting in Folkestone should be the 29th November (Sat)
at about 1015 am. (bit early for most I know). (Will conf date asap)

Demo anyone???

GL